Theater revival gathering support

December 25, 2001|By Matt Baron.

HINSDALE — Nicor Gas recently made a $6,500 donation to the effort to reopen the Hinsdale Theater, marking the first corporate financial support for the project.

The Hinsdale Village Board will view a presentation Jan. 8 and will decide at its meeting two weeks later whether to continue leasing the building from owner George Avgeris. The village has budgeted about $150,000 annually for that purpose, essentially buying organizers time to rally support for their vision of transforming the site into a multi-purpose hub for plays, community gatherings and movies.

A key factor in Hinsdale's decision will be whether there is enough community support to pay for renovation of the facility, 29 E. 1st St. Preliminary estimates put the cost around $4 million.

The Hinsdale Theater and Performing Arts Commission has been assessing whether there is support for a revival of the theater. Relying on donations from parties interested in preserving the theater, the commission has spent about $100,000 on a feasibility study, including management consulting and architectural design, said Pat Bruder, the commission's general manager.

The 500-seat theater has been shut for more than two years, since its owner cited concerns about its financial and structural soundness. More information on the theater is at www.hinsdaletheater.org.